Celebrating the Achievements of the Class of 2026: LSU College of Agriculture’s Spring Commencement

On Friday, May 15th, 2026, the LSU College of Agriculture conferred a total of 293 degrees during its Spring Commencement Ceremony. Among the honorees were 262 bachelor’s degree recipients, 22 master’s degree recipients, and 9 doctoral degree recipients.

The Spring 2026 graduating class includes students from 24 states, and 14 countries, with more than half coming from right here in Louisiana. This cohort is approximately 77% female, with an average age in the early twenties. The youngest undergraduate is 20 years old, while the most seasoned is 45 years old. Our youngest graduate student is 24 years old, and the most veteran graduate student is 40 years old.

At this year's Spring Commencement Ceremony, the College welcomed special guests Past Chairman and Member of LSU Board of Supervisors representing the 2nd Congressional District, Mr. James M. Williams, and Former President of the Louisiana State University System and Current President of Rutgers University, Dr. William F. Tate IV. 

The College also recognized graduates for their outstanding academic achievements, as well as their numerous honors and distinctions.

The University Medal was awarded to the undergraduate student (or students) graduating with a GPA of 4.0 or higher, provided that the student (or students) earn all A-level grades and more than 50 percent of the credits required for the degree has been earned at LSU A&M. Five graduates in the College of Agriculture have earned this accomplishment: Eleanor Lewis from the Department of Textiles, Apparel Design and Merchandising, Miranda Logan from the School of Animal Sciences, Bryce McCutchan from the School of Plant, Environmental, and Soil Sciences, Ali Morris from the School of Renewable Natural Resources, and Emilie Joy Stevens from the School of Animal Sciences.

Every spring, LSU selects 12 outstanding seniors from the graduating class as the Tiger Twelve, recognizing their positive contributions to campus life and the surrounding community. In the Tiger Twelve Class of 2026, the College of Agriculture had two graduates: Chandler Collins majoring in  Textiles, Apparel & Merchandising: Apparel Design from Baton Rouge, Louisiana; and Madelyn Faith Phillips majoring in Nutrition Pre-Med and minoring in Biology and Louisiana Service and Leadership (LASAL) Research from McComb, MS. 

Noted on both the diploma and the LSU transcript, College Honors is the culmination of the Honors College curriculum. Students who earn College Honors at graduation received special recognition at the commencement ceremony. To graduate with College Honors a student must meet all requirements as established by the student’s own college, including at least 32 hours of Honors classes as follows: A minimum of six hours of Honors coursework, 12 hours at 3000+ level, following Upper Division Departmental Honors programs, Senior thesis or project, and maintaining a 3.5 GPA in cumulative, LSU, and Honors coursework. Ten graduates in the College of Agriculture have earned this accomplishment: Madison B. Barfield, Berkeley Bolinger, Jean Marie Maleszewski, Ali Gabrielle Morris, Crystal Lynn Olson, Riley A. Palmer, Madelyn F. Phillips, Martha Raffaela Rigney, Madison Rose Woodson, and Madision Grace Wray.

The Engaged Citizen Program was established by The Center for Community Engagement, Learning, and Leadership with LSU Campus Life. This program seeks to support and recognize the accomplishments of undergraduate students who contributed significantly with their communities to address critical needs. Within the College of Agriculture, three names across three majors were recognized for their achievements: Chander Collins, Textiles, Apparel Design & Merchandising, Madelyn F. Phillips, Nutrition & Food Science, and Keana Howard, Environmental Management Systems & Anthropology.

The LSU Distinguished Communicator program recognizes self-motivated undergraduates who want to enhance their communication skills and excel in their chosen professions. Students who successfully achieve this unique distinction are recognized with a medal at graduation and receive a permanent commendation on their official transcripts, giving them significant leverage in today’s job market. Eight graduates in the College of Agriculture have earned this accomplishment: Carolina Alvarado, India Bethley, Abbygail Davis, Lauren Eckert, Bryce McCutchan, Madison Woodson, Madison Wray, and Reagan West. 

LSU Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Designation recognizes outstanding undergraduates who participate in educational and research activities leading to a public presentation or publication of a faculty mentored scholarly project. Six graduates from the College of Agriculture have earned this designation: Ashleigh Godke, Mallory Miller, Madelyn F. Phillips, Martha Raffaela Rigney, Madison Rose Woodson, and Madison Grace Wray. 

The College of Agriculture also recognizes Les Voyageurs, a select group of student ambassadors that aid in student recruitment and alumni engagement efforts. 11 graduates were recognized for one or more years of service as a Les Voyageur: Abbygail Davis, Carollicia Roberts, Lauren Eckert, Nora Preston, Jean Marie Maleszewski, Rachel Reglin, Reagan West, Ella King, Bryce McCutchan, Keana Howard, and India Bethley. 

Many students in the College of Agriculture have served or are currently serving in our nation's military, and we were honored to recognize two of our graduates who have made the commitment to protect and serve our country: Second Lieutenant Sean Meyle and Second Lieutenant Yudy Reyes. Both were commissioned into the United States Army, and following graduation, they will begin the Basic Officer Leadership Course in Fort Benning, Georgia. 

Congratulations to all the graduates of the LSU College of Agriculture!